Local group supports region's plan to purchase lands in Wilmot Township for undisclosed industrial project

A group made up of the presidents of local chambers of commerce, economic development, Communitech and Explore Waterloo Region have penned an open letter supporting the Region of Waterloo's plans to purchase farmland in Wilmot Township for an industrial project.

The group, dubbed BESTWR, wrote in its April 5 letter that "this is a critical time" in the region "that requires bold action."

"We are on the path to one million residents and this inevitable growth requires investment and, most importantly, jobs," the letter said. "Preparing shovel-ready land is critical and will be pivotal to the ongoing success of our future economy and communities across Waterloo region."

The exact industrial project that is being considered for the 283 hectares of land located near the intersection of Nafziger Road and Bleams Road has not been disclosed.

In March, six landowners in the area received notices that the region wanted to purchase their properties. If they do not sell, they have been told the land will be expropriated. 

Ian McLean is chair of BESTWR and is also president and CEO of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. He said the land is needed because without it the region could miss out on opportunities to grow.

"In terms of having large sites for billion-dollar investments and the jobs that come with that, [this] has been an issue that didn't just develop recently. This has been something we've been talking about in the business community, to the region and local municipalities, for years," he said in an interview on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition with host Craig Norris.

"We're talking four, five, six years, we've been saying we're losing out on these opportunities."

LISTEN | BESTWR writes open letter supporting region's plan:

The Morning Edition - K-W8:41BESTWR writes open letter supporting region's plan to buy farmland in Wilmot Township

There has been a lot of criticism over the Region of Waterloo’s plans to buy farmland south of New Hamburg. The exact reason the region needs the lands remains unknown but it’s for some kind of industrial project. Now, presidents of the local chambers of commerce groups, Communitech and Explore Waterloo Region have written an open letter in support of the project. Ian McLean is chair of BESTWR and president and CEO of Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Lost opportunities

One opportunity McLean pointed to was Maple Leaf Foods, which in 2012 announced it would build its newest facility in Hamilton.

"We lost our Schneiders' plants here in Waterloo region because we were not co-ordinated and we did not have one site that was suitable for what Maple Leaf Foods was looking for," he said.

"And make no mistake, we all realized we did not put our best foot forward and we lost an anchor and job creator here in Waterloo region because we weren't ready."

The BESTWR letter is signed by McLean and four other people:

• Tony LaMantia, president and CEO of Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.
• Greg Durocher, president and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
• Michele Sarah, CEO of Explore Waterloo Region.
• Chris Albinson, president and CEO of Communitech.

'Farms are businesses,' advocate says

The letter is being criticized by people who think the region has not been transparent enough about the industrial project and who say farmland should not be used in this way.

Jennifer Pfenning is an organic farmer in Wilmot Township whose lands are not impacted, but she's also president of the National Farmers Union.

"Farms are businesses," she said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. "These farms bring jobs and food to our community and beyond. How would these business people feel if it were their businesses being threatened?"

Landowners and farmers have started a petition on the website Change.org that now has more than 28,800 signatures. They have also appeared before regional and township councils and have held local meetings with MPPs.

WATCH | Alfred Lowrick addresses Wilmot council over notices to sell farmland:

Alfred Lowrick addresses Wilmot council over notices to sell farmland

8 months ago

Duration 10:22

Some farmers in Wilmot Township say they feel like they're being forced from their land after receiving notices on behalf of the Region of Waterloo asking them to sell their properties. Alfred Lowrick is a Wilmot Township resident and says his mother-in-law received one of the notices. He spoke before Wilmot Township council Monday night about his concerns.

Jeff Donkersgoed, first vice-president of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council, also wrote an open letter to regional Chair Karen Redman earlier this month saying the situation needs to be more open.

"Politicians are still people and I always want to keep the conversation and dialogue open. But, in this particular case, it just feels like that conversation piece has just been completely lacking," Donkersgoed told CBC News. 

In a statement, Redman said the region has a "long history of innovation and collaboration" and that the region has "balanced the protection of our natural environment with facilitating economic opportunities to support a high quality life for residents."